Prostate Adenocarcinoma Within a Thymoma: A Rare Case of Tumor-to-Tumor Metastasis.

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is defined as when metastasis from a primary tumor (donor) grows in a different primary neoplasm (recipient). Due to the structure of the thymus and the low incidence rate, thymic epithelial neoplasm has been rarely described in the literature as a recipient for metastases.In this report,a patient with advanced prostatic cancer and under control after chemo/hormone therapy was directed to our thoracic surgery unit for an anterior mediastinal mass detected during the staging workup for prostate disease. A limited uptake at fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the mediastinal lesion, while the surrounding tissue showed diffusely negative hypermetabolism, suggested a second primary thymic epithelial tumor with a possible carcinomatous differentiation. A thymectomy through a median sternotomy was carried out. Histopathological analysis after thymectomy revealed a type A thymoma with multiple elements of prostate adenocarcinoma within it. The foci of prostate adenocarcinoma were co-located in the context of the thymoma, revealing what is defined as a tumor-to-tumor metastasis.To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a thymoma as the recipient of metastases coming from a primary extrathoracic tumor without the involvement of other thoracic organs.

Long-term outcomes after lung-sparing surgery for epithelial mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: This observational study evaluates retrospectively the long-term outcomes after pleurectomy/decortication for pleural mesothelioma, with and without the resection/reconstruction of diaphragm and pericardium. METHODS: Data from 155 consecutive patients undergoing lung-sparing surgery for epithelial pleural mesothelioma were reviewed. Selection criteria for surgery were cT1-3, cN0-1, good performance status, age <80 years. Perioperative Pemetrexed-Platinum regimen was administered as induction in 101 cases (65.2%) and as adjuvant treatment in 54 cases (34.8%). Extended pleurectomy/decortication was performed in 87 cases (56.12%). In 68 patients (43.87%) standard pleurectomy/decortication was performed without resection/reconstruction of diaphragm and pericardium, when tumour infiltration was deemed absent after intraoperative frozen section. The log-rank test and Cox regression model were used to assess the factors affecting overall survival and recurrence free survival. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 20 months. The 2- and 5-year survival rate was 60.9% and 29.2% with a median survival of 34 months. An improved survival was observed when standard pleurectomy/decortication was carried out (P=0.007). A significant impact on survival was found comparing the TNM-stages (P=0.001), pT (P=0.002) and pN variables (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis identified the pN-status (P=0.003) and standard pleurectomy/decortication (P=0.017) as predictive for longer survival. The recurrence-free survival >12 months was strongly related to the overall survival (P<0.001). The macroscopic complete resection (P=0.001), TNM-stage (P=0.003) and pT-status (P=0.001) are related to relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Within multimodal management of pleural mesothelioma, lung-sparing surgery is a valid option even with more conservative technique. A benefit for a longer survival was observed in the early stage of disease, with pN0 and when pleurectomy/decortication is carried out, preserving diaphragm and pericardium. Recurrence is not affected by the type of surgery, and a recurrence-free interval >12 months is predictive of an increased survival when the macroscopic complete resection is achieved.

Mediastinal Rosai-Dorfman Disease With Widespread Lesions: When Surgical Biopsy Is Needed.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign disorder of the histiocytes, affecting lymph nodes in its classic form. Extranodal RDD is considered the uncommon subtype and potentially impairs all tissues and intrathoracic organs. In our report, a 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan of a mediastinal mass infiltrating the lungs and of widespread lesions suggested the presence of a metastatic disease. Open thoracic biopsy was required for immunochemistry and histopathology. Mediastinal mass with lesions disseminated throughout the body is an unusual presentation of extranodal RDD that calls for a challenging differential diagnosis to rule out the suspicion of metastatic malignancy.

Worsening Hemoptysis in a Rare Intrapulmonary Triton Tumor Mimicking Lung Cancer.

A 71-year-old male former smoker was referred for worsening hemoptysis from a hilar left tumor without radiologic or bronchoscopic identification of the bleeding source. He underwent an urgent upper lobectomy extended to the pericardium and left phrenic nerve to control active bleeding. Histologic analysis revealed a malignant triton tumor, a rare aggressive subtype of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. This is a case report of unusual pulmonary involvement associated with hemoptysis. Despite radical surgery and multimodal treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy the patient died of systemic dissemination 10 months after surgery, with a disease-free survival of 3 months.

Autologous fat tissue grafting improves pulmonary healing after laser metastasectomy.

BACKGROUND: Extensive clinical experience has demonstrated the potential usefulness of autologous fat tissue (AFT) graft in tissue reconstruction, repair or regeneration. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of AFT in the repair of surgically injured lung surface. METHODS: Eighty consecutive procedures of pulmonary metastasectomy by laser precision resection, were performed in 66 patients between March 2010 and December 2012. In the first 20 procedures, AFT graft was applied on the wounded pulmonary surface without closure of parenchymal surface. The following 40 procedures were carried on without AFT (20 leaving the resection margins open and 20 closing the resection margins with a running suture). In the remaining 20 procedures, AFT was applied and the resection margins closed. The efficacy of this technique was evaluated by comparing the AFT group with the non-AFT group, with respect to prolonged alveolar air leakage (PAAL), time to drain removal, length of hospital stay, and patient survival at four years. RESULTS: The occurrence of PAAL was lower in the AFT group as compared to non-AFT group (17.5% versus 42.5%, p = 0.027), and median time to drain removal shorter (4 versus 6 days respectively, p = 0.016). Overall 4-year survival was 70% for AFT group, and 59% for non-AFT group (p = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort observational study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of AFT pulmonary grafting after laser metastasectomy. AFT graft improved pulmonary healing, by reducing the incidence and severity of PAAL. Moreover, there was no evidence of tumor promotion in the metastatic setting, with a similar overall survival at 4 years.

Thulium laser versus staplers for anatomic pulmonary resections with incomplete fissures: negative results of a randomized trial.

AIMS: This randomized trial evaluated the feasibility and safety of thulium 2010-nm laser to perform anatomic lung resections in patients with incomplete fissures, as compared to mechanical staplers with or without sealants. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-two patients scheduled for segmentectomy or lobectomy were enrolled. After intraoperative confirmation of the extent of resection and incomplete fissures (Craig type 2, 3 or 4), they were randomized and allocated to one of the following arms: laser resection by thulium (group A) or standard resection with mechanical staplers with or without sealants (group B). The primary endpoints of the study included analysis of intraoperative and postoperative course, and costs. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were assigned to group A (32 lobectomies, 6 segmentectomies) and 34 to group B (31 lobectomies, 3 segmentectomies). No 30-day mortality was observed. Median operative times were 145.0 minutes (group A) and 142.5 minutes (group B, P = 0.83). The median time to drainage removal was 5 days (group A) and 4 days (group B), while the median length of hospital stay was the same (7 days). Prolonged air leaks >7 days were observed in 12 patients of group A (32%) and 10 patients of group B (29%, P = 0.46). Unpredictable late pneumothorax occurred in 3 patients of group A (2 readmissions, need for 1 repeat thoracotomy). Cost analysis demonstrated an intraoperative advantage for group A (mean 807 ± 212 euro) versus group B (mean 1,047+/-276 euro, P <0.0001), but the differences in total costs could be due to chance (P = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: The use of laser to complete fissures can lead to late pneumothorax, even in the absence of postoperative air leaks. Moreover, the use of laser to complete fissures did not prove to reduce overall costs. Trial Registration Identification Number: 41/10 (IRB00001457 - FWA00001798 - IORG0001063).

Does external pleural suction reduce prolonged air leak after lung resection? Results from the AirINTrial after 500 randomized cases.

BACKGROUND: External pleural suction is used after lung resection to promote lung expansion and minimize air leak duration. Published randomized trials failed to prove this advantage but they are limited in number and underpowered in many cases. The aim of the AirINTrial study was to test the hypothesis that external pleural suction may reduce the rate of prolonged air leak in a large, randomized cohort. METHODS: All candidates for lung resection (with the exception of pneumonectomy) were considered eligible for this single-center study. At the end of operation, patients were stratified by the type of resection (anatomic versus nonanatomic) and randomly allocated into the external suction arm (-15 cmH2O, group A) or into the no external suction arm (control arm, group B) in a 1:1 ratio. Chest drains were maintained for 3 days and then they were either removed or connected to an Heimlich valve, when an air leak was present. The main endpoint was to compare groups in terms of prolonged air leak (defined as the rate of patients having a chest drain still in place by postoperative day 7). RESULTS: Starting on February 2011, 500 patients were randomized over a 21-month period, 250 in group A and 250 in group B. Twenty-one patients in group B (8.4%) required pleural suction owing to large pneumothorax or diffuse subcutaneous emphysema. On postoperative day 7, the chest drain was still in place in 25 patients in group A and in 34 patients in group B (10% and 14%, respectively; p = 0.2). Subgroup analysis showed that external pleural suction reduced the prolonged air leak rate in the subgroup of patients who underwent anatomic resection (n = 296, 9.6% in group A and 16.8% in group B; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the AirINTrial showed that the routine use of external suction reduces the rate of prolonged air leak after anatomic lung resection. More accurate strategies of pleural suction based on the amount of air flow and the degree of lung expansion should be probably established to improve its effectiveness.

CT-based weight assessment of lung lobes: comparison with ex vivo measurements.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the validity of lung lobe weight assessment via computed tomography (CT) by comparing CT-derived and ex vivo measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unenhanced CT scanning was performed in 30 consecutive patients before lobectomy for lung cancer. The CT images were analyzed using research software after allowing for lobar weight quantitation. The lobar weight estimated by CT was then compared with that measured after surgery using a precision scale (ex vivo measurement). Comparisons as well as assessment of intra- and interoperator variability were conducted using the Bland-Altman method and the coefficient of repeatability (CR). Correlations were examined using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: Comparison analyses were feasible for 28 cases. The ex vivo lobe weight was 186.2±57.3 g, whereas the weights measured by the two operators by CT were 190.0±55 and 182.4±58.2 g, respectively. As compared with ex vivo weights, the CR was 36.4 for operator 1 and 50.4 for operator 2; the mean differences were 3.8 and -3.8 for operators 1 and 2, respectively. The intraoperator and interoperator CR were 20.9 and 36.6, respectively. The mean differences for the intra- and interoperator analysis were -1.5 and -7.5, respectively. The correlation was very high between CT-based and ex vivo measurements (r=0.95 and r=0.90 for operators 1 and 2, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Estimation of lung lobe weight by semi-automated CT analysis is sufficiently reproducible and in agreement with ex vivo measurements.

Pulmonary resections: cytostructural effects of different-wavelength lasers versus electrocautery.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: There are few papers on the cytostructural effects of surgical instruments used during pulmonary resections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the parenchymal damage caused by different surgical instruments: a new generation electrosurgical scalpel and two different-wavelength lasers. METHODS: Six surgical procedures of pulmonary resection for nodules were performed using a new generation electrosurgical scalpel, a 1318 nm neodymium (Nd:YAG) laser or a 2010 nm thulium laser (two procedures for each instrument). Specimens were analyzed using optical microscopy and scansion electronic microscopy. RESULTS: Severe cytostructural damage was found to be present in an average of 1.25 mm in depth from the cutting surface in the patients treated using electrosurgical cautery. The depth of this zone dropped to less than 1 mm in patients treated by laser, being as small as 0.2 mm using the laser with a 2010 nm-wavelength and 0.6 mm with the 1318 nm-wavelength laser. DISCUSSION: These preliminary findings support the use of laser to perform conservative pulmonary resections (i.e., metastasectomies), since it is more likely to avoid damage to surrounding structures. Controlled randomized trials are needed to support the clinical usefulness and feasibility of new types of lasers for pulmonary resections.

Postpneumonectomy-like syndrome in an infant with right lung agenesis and left main bronchus hypoplasia.

We report a 1-year-old child born with agenesis of the right lung who sustained an episode of acute respiratory failure related to a postpneumonectomy-like syndrome, with severe mediastinal shift and subsequent stretching and stenosis of the left main bronchus. The insertion of an expandable prosthesis in the right empty pleural space markedly improved the patient's clinical condition.

A rare cause of dyspnea in adult: a right Bochdalek's hernia-containing colon.

Symptomatic cases of Bochdalek's hernia (BH) are uncommon in adults; symptoms arise only due to complications. Most of symptomatic cases are related to a left-sided hernia. Right colon herniation in adults has never been reported. We present a case of a 70-year-old woman with right BH-containing colon. The patient was successfully treated by combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach.

Personal experience in surgical management of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare epithelial malignant tumor. Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma was introduced by the 1999 World Health Organization classification as a new peculiar type of lung carcinoma showing concurrent malignant epithelial and sarcomatoid spindle cell elements. Few reports describe its clinical behavior. My colleagues and I report a series of patients surgically treated for pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma to describe our experience with this malignant neoplasm. METHODS: Twenty cases of pleomorphic pulmonary carcinoma were collected and studied clinicopathologically. All patients underwent surgical resection. The cases were as follows: 6 stage I, 12 stage II, and 2 stage IIIA. Histologic diagnosis was established by using light microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry. Survival rates were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: We postoperatively diagnosed 20 cases of pleomorphic carcinoma: 14 cases were exclusively spindle and giant-cell carcinomas, 2 cases were spindle and giant-cell carcinoma combined with adenocarcinoma, 2 were combined with squamous cell carcinoma, and 2 were combined with large cell carcinoma. At last follow-up, 4 patients were still alive; they were postoperative T1 N0 and T2 N0. The remaining 16 patients died from early distant metastases. The median duration of disease-free survival was 5 months. The median duration of overall survival was 8 months. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of patients with pleomorphic carcinoma was poor, despite surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, because of early relapse of disease. Nodal involvement was a determinant prognostic variable, because advanced stages were related to worse prognosis. In case of preoperatively proven pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, surgery should be recommended to N0 patients.